Taking a new look at cancer… by not looking for cancer.
We’ve been fighting a losing battle against cancer.
Because the way we’ve been approaching cancer detection has largely been based upon non-specific and brute force methodology.
While these tools can sometimes be effective, the truth is that in many cases, by the time a cancer is identified with most current testing methods, it has already established a firm foothold.
This is why Syantra flipped the script.
Onco-ID™ – a patent-pending cancer detection platform — doesn’t look for cancer cells directly, but instead focuses on detecting shifts in normal body systems to tell us when something is going wrong.
In short, Syantra and Onco-ID are leaning on and listening to the most complex, effective, and proven biological defense of all time: the human immune system.
Why is it revolutionary?
Where most liquid biopsies and molecular tests look for specific components of cancer cells (or cancer cells themselves) in the bloodstream after cancer is already established, Syantra captures and decodes much earlier changes in how the body is functioning, and whether a cancer is likely becoming established. This enables earlier detection and more effective treatment.
Awards and more
Syantra is already enjoying recognition from peers in the healthcare, technology, and social arenas, including:
Project Achievement Award, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), March 2024 (for our platform)
Leader of the year Award to Dr. Tina Rinker (co-founder), Start Alberta, October 2023
Technology Innovation Award, BioAlberta, September 2023 (for our platform)
International Award to Dr. Tina Rinker(co-founder), City of Calgary, June 2023
Research Impact Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary 2023
One to Watch Award, presented to Syantra Inc. by the A100 at the Start Alberta Tech Awards, 2021
Partnering with Cornell and the DoD
Further evidence of Syantra’s singularity arrived when the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Cornell University and the University of Calgary partnering awards of more than C$3 million in September, 2024. The award funds a three-year, 2,000 participant, clinical study to evaluate Syantra's Breast Cancer test at six sites in the U.S. and United Kingdom.
Announcements & stories
News about Syantra and its revolutionary approach to cancer screening.
Diagnostic platform publications
Breast Cancer Whole Blood Screening: Analytical and Clinical Performance from Early Analysis of the International Identify Breast Cancer (IDBC) Study
European Journal of Cancer 175, Suppl. 1 (2022) S1–S96
[Poster] Breast Cancer Whole Blood Screening: Analytical and Clinical Performance from Early Analysis of the International Identify Breast Cancer (IDBC) Study
A poster illustrating analytical and clinical performance of the Syantra DX™ Breast Cancer test for detecting an active breast cancer signature from early analysis of the international identify breast cancer (IDBC) study. Presented at the The 13th European Breast Cancer Conference in November 2022.
A whole blood assay to identify breast cancer: interim analysis of the international identify breast cancer (IDBC) study evidence supporting the Syantra DX Breast Cancer test.
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Meeting Abstracts page 667; presentation Dec. 8, 2021, USA
[Poster] A whole blood assay to identify breast cancer: interim analysis of the International Identify Breast Cancer (IDBC) study evidence supporting the Syantra DX Breast Cancer test
A poster illustrating an interim analysis of the international identify breast cancer (IDBC) study evidence supporting the Syantra DX | Breast Cancer test. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2021.
Fluid Flow Stimulation Modulates Expression of S100 Genes in Normal Breast Epithelium and Breast Cancer
Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (2021)
Fluid flow exposure promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and adhesion of breast cancer cells to endothelial cells
Breast Cancer Research (2021)
Linking Aortic Mechanical Properties, Gene Expression and Microstructure: A New Perspective on Regional Weakening in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2021) 8, 1-14
Quantitative RT-PCR assay of HER2 mRNA expression in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissues
Int J Clin Exp Pathol. (2014) 7, 6752–6759
Evaluation of a quantitative RT-PCR assay to detect HER2 mRNA overexpression for diagnosis and selection of trastuzumab therapy in breast cancer tissue samples
Exp. Mol. Pathol. (2014) 97, 368–374
Discovery platform publications
Apabetalone (RVX-208) reduces vascular inflammation in vitro and in CVD patients by a BET-dependent epigenetic mechanism
Clinical Epigenetics (2019) 11: 102, 1-21
17-DMAG regulates p21 expression to induce chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo
Disease Models & Mechanisms (2018) 11(10). pii: dmm033662
Viral manipulation of a novel mechanoresponsive signaling axis disassembles processing bodies
BioRxIV, under review
A human cell model for dynamic testing of MR contrast agents
Biotechniques, 50:120-123
Long term shear stress leads to increased phosphorylation of multiple MAPK species in cultured human aortic endothelial cells
Biorheology (2009) 46(6): 529-538
Flow-dependent Smad2 phosphorylation and TGIF nuclear localization in human aortic endothelial cells
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (2011) 301(1): H98–H107.doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00668.2010
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrates wall shear stress dependent behaviour
BioMedical Engineering OnLine (2011) Mar 22;10:20
Fluid Flow Modulation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency Gene Expression in the Absence of LIF
Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (2013) 6: 335-345